The line-up of the Super Eagles for the international friendly encounter against the Pharaohs of Egypt taking place at the Stephen Keshi Stadium in Asaba has been revealed with a number of players dropped from the starting XI as the Nigerian senior national team look to maintain one big record against their counterparts from North Africa.
Goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi will man the sticks in place of Francis Uzoho who was in action with the U23 national team which booked a spot in the final round of qualification to the Africa U23 Cup of Nations with a 4-0 demolition of Libya on Monday evening in Asaba.
Uzoho also played all 90 minutes for the Super Eagles last Friday against Seychelles in Nigeria’s final AFCON qualifying match.
Paul Onuachu is another fringe player who has been handed a place in the starting line-up ahead of first-choice striker Odion Ighalo who pulled up with an injury in the closing stages of Friday’s win over Seychelles. Along with Onuachu, Moses Simon has found himself in the starting line-up in place of Ahmed Musa.
Onuachu and Simon will play at the top of an attacking quartet which also consists of Arsenal star, Alex Iwobi, and Galatasaray forward, Henry Onyekuru – the former Anderlecht man scored the second goal in the win over Seychelles while Simon came on to seal the win in stoppage time.
The Super Eagles will now be hoping to maintain the record of never losing at home in any match to Egypt.
Interestingly, Egypt also have a record to keep against Nigeria as the Pharaohs have never lost a game played in Nigeria since 1994, with both nations playing out draws in their last two matches played in Nigeria.
And in 12 meetings between both countries since 1963, Egypt hold the edge with five wins compared to the three won by the Super Eagles, while the four other matches have ended in draws.
Nigeria XI v. Egypt
Daniel Akpeyi – Shehu Abdullahi, William Troost-Ekong (C), Leon Balogun, Jamilu Collins – John Ogu, Wilfred Ndidi – Moses Simon, Alex Iwobi, Henry Onyekuru – Paul Onuachu
Egypt on their part will be without Liverpool star, Mohamed Salah, who excused himself from international duty in order to focus on helping the Reds in their charge to win a first Premier League title and also prepare for their UEFA Champions League quarter-final date against FC Porto in April.
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